State Inspectors Uncover Illegal Construction on Kyiv Reservoir Shoreline

Illegal Construction Work Discovered

According to Главком: During an inspection in the Dymer settlement community of the Vyshhorod district, Kyiv region, the State Environmental Inspectorate of the capital district uncovered unauthorized construction activity on the shoreline of the Kyiv Reservoir. The inspection, conducted at coordinates 50.865735, 30.423331, found the area fenced off with a metal barrier running right up to the water's edge, illegally blocking public access to the coast. This is a significant violation, as Ukrainian law guarantees public access to many shoreline areas.

Within 100 meters of the water, inspectors discovered ongoing construction of structures with an unknown purpose. Evidence of environmental damage was also present, including stumps from felled trees. The State Environmental Inspectorate reported that approximately 200 meters of shoreline reinforcement work had been carried out, involving the installation of a concrete retaining wall and a concrete boat launch.

State Inspectorate's Planned Response

Representatives of the company performing the work refused to provide any permits or documentation. In response, the State Environmental Inspectorate plans to issue a formal demand letter to the land user, requiring them to restore free public access to the Kyiv Reservoir shoreline. Following further information from government authorities, the matter may be referred to law enforcement agencies for potential legal action.

In a related case, the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office has notified an engineer of the Dymer Forestry Branch of the State Enterprise "Forests of Ukraine" that he is under suspicion. In June-July 2023, the official allegedly issued a logging ticket for a cut not stipulated in forestry plans, leading to the illegal destruction of 137 pine trees. The estimated damages to the state exceed 1.1 million hryvnias.

These incidents represent serious violations of Ukrainian environmental and land use law, specifically the Water Code and the Land Code of Ukraine, and demand urgent intervention from the relevant authorities.

This situation underscores the critical importance of adhering to environmental regulations and laws governing the use of natural resources in Ukraine.

The violations uncovered by the State Inspectorate could have severe consequences for both the local ecology and the rule of law in the region. How law enforcement responds to these incidents will be a key test in the ongoing effort to combat illegal activity that threatens the natural environment.